If you find yourself hiding your smile, covering your mouth while you talk, or if you’re the only person in every family photo that’s frowning, it might be time to make a change. A recent University of California Berkley study revealed that people who smile more are less likely to get divorced or experience depression, and are more likely to get hired or promoted. However, similar studies reveal that those whose smiles are unappealing would do better to hide their smiles as they are perceived as less intelligent and unhealthy. If you’re ready to achieve your full smile confidence and potential, Rocky River cosmetic dentist, Dr. William L. Eick, and his team can help. We offer a wide variety of cosmetic dentistry services to correct, conceal, or transform your smile.(more…)

Root canal infection, like many oral health issues is more devastating because these infections are usually preventable. At Dr. William L. Eick’s Rocky River, OH dental practice, we emphasize preventive dentistry to avoid extensive procedures such as root canal therapy. When the alternative is an extracted or severely compromised tooth, root canal therapy is a safe, effective means of preserving dental structure. Most root canal infection occurs due to tooth decay or trauma, and in both cases, there are typically steps that can be taken to avoid the necessity of root canal treatment.(more…)

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September 11, 2015

Many people have heard of a root canal before but knowing why a patient is in need of one is often confused. Tooth decay is a constantly trying to hold your teeth ransom. Brushing and flossing help tooth decay from overpowering your teeth, as well as coming in for a general checkup. However, there may be tooth decay that you’re missing during your brushing and flossing routine or you simply can’t see it because it’s located in a hard-to-see area of the mouth. When tooth decay becomes excessive, it can invade your tooth and leave your oral health in shambles.

At our office in Rocky River, OH, we offer gentle root canal treatment for patients that are experiencing extreme tooth pain caused by excessive tooth decay. A cavity is the most common result of tooth decay that hasn’t been properly treated. Though they vary in size and scope, cavities all share the same tooth-destroying properties that can leave your oral health hanging in the balance. Dr. Eick is the dentist Rocky River residents can trust to deliver maximum comfort for a deep cavity. Root canals are a common procedure and shouldn’t be feared. We’re well aware of the stereotype root canals receive, but technology has advanced over the years to where treatment isn’t painful.(more…)

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Do the words natural, functional, or comfortable come to mind when you hear the word, “dentures?” Probably not. For years, dentures have been perceived as being bulky, making eating and speaking more difficult, and slipping and sliding uncomfortably. Possibly worst of all, dentures were obvious. You knew right away if someone was wearing them. Innovations in dentistry allow your Rocky River, OH dentist, Dr. William Eick, to create custom dental prosthetics to not just replace your teeth, but to restore your smile to its natural beauty. If you’re unhappy with your current dentures or are in need of dentures, call our office to schedule a denture consolation. (more…)

June 22, 2015

Porcelain veneers are super-thin shells of translucent and durable ceramic. Cosmetic dentists, such as William L. Eick DDS at Rocky River Dentistry, apply veneers to healthy teeth that are stained, cracked, chipped or have spacing and alignment issues.

Porcelain veneers, also called dental or ceramic laminates, are a comfortable and durable cosmetic improvement for teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen, fractured or have bite and spacing problems. Applied right in the dental chair in just a couple of visits, these micro-thin ceramic shells permanently beautify the shape, size and color of one or more teeth, creating an aesthetically beautiful smile.(more…)

How your smile looks is largely attributed to the proper care you have given your teeth. However, life does happen and your smile can take a hit, literally. Missing teeth are a part of the problem, and one we want to help correct. The absence of teeth can promote bone loss in the jaw, speech problems, and more. Rocky River, OH dentist, Dr. William Eick, and his team of professionals can correct these problems and revitalize your smile with modern dentures. Whether you’re in need of full or partial dentures, we’ll sit with you and discuss all of your options so we can get your smile corrected as soon as possible.

Dentures 101

You may think you know everything there is to know about dentures, but there may be bits of information that you are missing. Everyone knows dentures are artificial substitutes for your natural teeth and the tissue that surrounds them. Did you know there are different types of dentures? From a complete set for all of your teeth, to only partial dentures, each dental situation is different and will require a thorough examination. A comfortable fit is what we strive for.

The Benefits of Dentures

There are life-changing benefits to having your teeth replaced with dentures.

Dentures help keep facial muscles from sagging, which can make a person look much older than they actually are.

Eat and speak in comfort! Missing teeth will no longer impinge on your ability to chew and enjoy your favorite foods.

You will be able to smile confidently.

You may need full dentures or partials, depending on how many teeth you have lost. A full set of dentures replaces all the teeth on the top and/or bottom arch. Partial dentures fit like puzzle pieces in the spaces left by a few missing teeth. The design and comfort of modern dentures has allowed our patients to reclaim grace and dignity with healthy, solid smiles.

Schedule an Appointment Today

The sooner you call, the sooner we can help. Speak with our friendly staff today and cosmetic dentist Dr. Eick to learn more about modern dentures and how you can schedule an appointment immediately. From our Rocky River, OH location, Dr. Eick and our team welcome residents from all over including Fairview Park, Lakewood, Westlake, and the greater Cleveland area.

Tooth loss affects millions of Americans and is most often caused by advanced periodontal disease. When you lose a tooth, the entire dynamic of your bite changes, frequently leading to future problems that could have been avoided had the tooth been replaced in a timely manner. At the Rocky River, OH dental office of Dr. William Eick, our team offers a comprehensive range of restorative dentistry solutions for patients with missing teeth, including dental implants.

Do I Really Need to Replace a Lost Tooth?

A common question we hear at the office is, “The tooth I’m missing is way in the back. Why do I need to replace it?” While it is true that a missing front tooth is considered highly unattractive and socially unacceptable, replacing posterior (back) teeth is just as important. A missing tooth anywhere in the mouth can lead to a variety of problems, including:

Diminished chewing ability

Nutritional issues due to difficulty eating

Bone loss in the jaw, resulting in the loss of additional teeth

Remaining teeth begin to tip, rotate, and migrate

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)

Decreased facial height over time, causing a sunken appearance

Fortunately, dental implants effectively prevent all of these complications, replacing not only the missing root within the jaw but the crown as well. The implant stimulates the jaw bone, preventing further tissue loss and restoring your smile in a way that looks and feels completely natural. Dr. Eick will work with you to develop a restorative treatment plan that specifically addresses your goals, giving you the strong and healthy new smile you deserve.

Schedule Your Dental Implants Consultation

If you are missing one or more teeth and you want to learn more about your restorative dentistry options, please don’t hesitate to contact our office today. Our entire team is committed to helping each of our patients achieve healthier, more beautiful smiles, and we’d love to do the same for you. Conveniently located in Rocky River, OH, Dr. Eick’s office proudly serves patients from communities in Westlake, Fairview Park, Lakewood, and more. Explore the possibilities afforded by dental implants, and see what an incredible difference our advanced technology can make for your smile.

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March 13, 2015

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, approximately 43,250 American men and women will be diagnosed with this life-threatening disease this year alone. Of those diagnosed, only about half will still be alive in five years. Due to its aggressive nature, oral cancer is best treated when detected and addressed in its earliest stages before the disease can spread. At the office of Dr. William Eick in Rocky River, OH, we offer a comprehensive range of preventive dentistry services, including oral cancer screening, to help our patients preserve their oral health and overall wellness.

What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?

Unfortunately, oral cancer can become severe before any major symptoms become apparent. This is why oral cancer screening is so important. Dr. Eick is able to recognize the earliest signs of the disease at your routine checkups, giving you the ultimate advantage when it comes to fighting oral cancer.

Aside from oral cancer screening with Dr. Eick, there are some signs you can look out for at home between appointments. These include:

A sore or discoloration that persists for more than 14 days

Numbness or tingling anywhere in the mouth or on the lips

Red or white patch of tissue, often on the floor of the mouth or on the underside of the tongue

Pain or difficulty swallowing

Persistent cough and/or hoarseness

A thickening of tissue anywhere in the mouth or neck

If you notice any of the above symptoms, please do not hesitate to contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Eick. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are our best weapons in the fight against oral cancer.

Oral Cancer Screenings in Rocky River, OH

If it has been more than six months since your last dental checkup and cleaning, there’s never been a better time to call our office and schedule an appointment. Our Rocky River, OH dental office proudly welcomes families from throughout the surrounding areas, including Cleveland, Westlake, Lakewood, Fairview Park, and more. We genuinely look forward to helping you achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for life.

Athletes work daily to keep their bodies in peak physical condition, training for tireless hours at the gym and fueling their workouts with sports drinks that promise to enhance their performance. While an active lifestyle will certainly help keep your body in shape, research shows that a strenuous exercise regimen can actually negatively affect oral health in a variety of ways. At the Rocky River, OHdental office of Dr. William Eick, we strive every day to teach our patients how to best preserve the health of their teeth and gums, and today we’d like to offer some helpful advice to athletes, particularly frequent runners.

Running & Oral Health: What’s the Connection?

In a 2014 study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, a team of German researchers sought to identify the link between a demanding exercise routine and dental caries, or cavities. It was discovered that athletes, especially those that regularly ran or rode a bike during training, were at an increased risk for tooth erosion. The cause for this is twofold, and it involves both diet and behavior.

First, athletes often consume sports drinks, nutrition bars, gels, and high-carb foods to propel them across the finish line before the competition. Unfortunately, the sugars and carbohydrates our muscles use for energy are exactly what oral bacteria use to thrive in our mouths. In addition, a carb-heavy diet can actively reduce pH levels in the mouth, a problem that had previously been correlated with a higher incidence of cavities.

Secondly, anyone who has ever run for any considerable distance knows that breathing rapidly leads to a dry mouth. When we run or bike, we tend to breathe through our mouths, and saliva production decreases. Without adequate saliva to protect teeth, enamel becomes far more susceptible to cavity-causing bacteria.

How Do Athletes Keep a Healthy Smile?

Next time you’re at the gym, remember to grab a bottle of water before you hit the treadmill or bikes. Drinking water frequently during your workout will not only keep you hydrated, but it can also help keep sugars, starches, and bacteria from taking up residence between the teeth and along the gum line. Observe a stringent home hygiene routine, and don’t forget to visit Dr. Eick at least twice per year for a full checkup and professional cleaning. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment at our Rocky River, OH dental practice, and learn more about preventing cavities and gum disease. We are also happy to serve families from throughout Cleveland, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Westlake, and beyond.

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It is estimated that approximately 40 percent of women will develop gingivitis at some point during pregnancy. This is due to hormonal changes that occur while a woman is expecting; estrogen and progesterone levels increase during pregnancy, and this is believed to alter the way gum tissues react to the accumulation of plaque. At the Rocky River, OHdental practice of Dr. William Eick, our team can help pregnant women maintain oral health in a way that promotes not only a beautiful smile for Mom, but a healthy delivery for her child.

Pregnancy Gingivitis & Pregnancy Tumors

Pregnant women undergo an untold number of changes during pregnancy, many of which we can’t even see. One of the changes we can see, however, is the way that pregnancy affects oral health. The gums can become tender, and inflammation can take hold. A pregnant woman may even develop small red bumps near the gum line around the time of her second trimester. These are called pregnancy tumors and, while they can cause discomfort, they typically resolve themselves after the baby is born.

Women may notice bleeding gums as early as two months into their pregnancy. If you already have gingivitis or periodontal disease when you become pregnant, an increase in hormones may cause the condition to worsen. This is the reason that Dr. Eick suggests a checkup and cleaning be scheduled before you become pregnant or as soon as possible after you find out. We can help you reduce your risk of pregnancy complications caused by gum disease, including pre-term birth and low birth weight. Our goal is to help you and your precious new arrival stay happy and healthy through personalized oral healthcare.

A Healthier Mouth for a Healthier Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting and transformative time in any woman’s life. With a comprehensive range of preventive and general dentistry services, we’d like to make it a little easier and more comfortable for you. If you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon, please give us a call to schedule your oral healthcare checkup. Dr. Eick and his caring, experienced staff look forward to being a part of your journey toward a healthier smile. Our warm and welcoming Rocky River, OH dental office proudly serves families from throughout the surrounding areas, including Fairview Park, Cleveland, Westlake, Lakewood, and more.

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